Cross Country Q&A: Rachel Rant
10/29/2015 8:58:00 AM | Cross Country, Competing With Purpose Blog
With the WCC Championships just two days away, senior cross country runner Rachel Rant -- a two-time WCC All-Academic honorable mention selection -- reflects on her time as a student-athlete at Pepperdine, and addresses her goals for the future (both inside and outside of her sport).
Q: At the last WCC Championships,you ran your season best 6K. Do you have any specific goals you hope to achieve at the upcoming WCC Cross Country Championships?
A: I am hoping to run anew personal record and help the team as much as possible.Â
Q: How does Pepperdine athletics' mission of "Competing With Purpose" relate to your own mission or goal as a student athlete?
A: Cross country isn't as port that you can go out and do on a whim; it takes great intentionality to push through your mental and physical limits to succeed. Personally, I compete with the purpose of overcoming those obstacles.
Q: How have you evolved as a runner during your time at Pepperdine?
A: I came in with a fair amount of speed but not enough muscle to prevent injury, so I've had to build strength and really learn how to take care of myself throughout my time at Pepperdine. I've gained a lot of strength and flexibility, which has helped me to become a better runner overall. I've also learned so much about competition and life from my teammates, and it's been really humbling to see them help me in a variety of ways.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about your time as a runner at Pepperdine?
A: I've enjoyed the challenge it has presented to make me a better runner, and build my character in ways that most other activities haven't. Far and away though, the team has been the best part about running at Pepperdine. I love all of my teammates, and they have become my family here.
Q: You're known not only as an excellent athlete, but also as a student who goes above and beyond expectations. What drives you to achieve such academic success? Where do you find motivation?
A: I've always loved learning, and grew up with the mindset that God gave me passions and talents for a reason. I want to glorify him through my effort and achievements.
Q: What activities, if any, are you involved in at Pepperdine outside of your sport?
A: I've worked as a copyeditor for the school newspaper, The Graphic, for the past four years. I also am a first-year seminar mentor this year, and co-president of the Pepperdine Micro-finance Club. I joined a house group last year too, which has been great!
Q: According to your bio,you are majoring in business administration with a minor in professional and academic writing. Do you have any career plans upon graduation?
A: I would like to pursue publishing for at least a couple of years, and maybe explore a career in micro-finance or micro-enterprise.
Q: You had the opportunity to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, your sophomore year.What prompted to make the decision to study abroad for a semester, and why was this decision important to you?
A: One of the main draws to Pepperdine for me was the opportunity to study abroad, and the fact that Coach Radnoti allows his athletes to study abroad for a semester if they wish.This decision was important to me because I wanted to look at my college and life experience as a whole and not just in terms of my athletic career. My experience in Argentina taught me so much about myself and others, as well as allowed me to forge some lifelong friendships. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live and study there.
Q: You also seem to have a real heart for community service. How have you specifically been involved in service and what drives you to prioritize this?
A: I have led our track/cross country Step Forward Day group for the last two years with some help from my teammates, which has been rewarding because we have been able to make a tangible difference with some projects the L.A. community needed help with. I also worked for the Pepperdine Micro-enterprise Program this summer,which helps homeless people start their own businesses. My favorite type of service is the kind that helps people help themselves. People have so much creativity, drive and potential. Sometimes they just need help directing it and accessing the resources they need. Helping to provide those resources is what motivates me to help people change their own lives.
Players Mentioned
